History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

148 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
A.D. 144. king given to the Armenians." After this,
Tiran went into Upper Armenia, and resided
for some time in the province of Ekeliaz, a quiet
and pleasant country, having appointed a chief
named Erakhnavu, a wise and valiant man, to
A.D. 153.
the government of Ararat,
Math the rank of his
Lieutenant. Tiran finally settled his court at the
village of Chermes, beautifying it by the erection
of several magnificent palaces. This prince
reigned in uninterrupted peace for twenty-two
years, when he met his death in the following
manner. Hunting one day on the mountains,
he was crushed by the fall of an avalanche, or
heap of snow, which had been suddenly thawed.
Tigranes the Third, brother of the late king,
and the youngest son of Artaces, succeeded to
the vacant throne by the influence of the king
of Persia. On the death of the emperor Antoninus
Pius, the Armenians and Persians joined,
and commenced hostilities against the Romans.
Severianus, the Roman governor of Cappadocia,
alarmed at this event, consulted the oracle of the
god Gleucon, and received from the priest,
Alexander, the following answer, " Thou shalt
smite the Parthians and Armenians with the
edge of the sword ; and return to Rome with
the laurels of victory. The streams of Tiber
shall welcome thee with gladness, aad thy
brows be decorated with the garlands of con-